Last year, the Swiss Money Laundering Office (MROS) received a blatant message from one of its foreign partner organisations: two not-for profit organisations were holders of Swiss bank accounts whereby the beneficial owner of the bank accounts was suspected of terrorist activities.

This article reviews developments concerning the Federal Act of October 6, 1995 on Cartels and Other Restraints of Competition (the "Competition Act"), which is enforced by the Federal Competition Commission ("FCC"). Appeals against decisions of the FCC are heard by the Appeal Commission for Competition Matters (the "Appeal Commission").

In March 2000 the Federal Constitution was revised and the jurisdiction in the field of civil procedure law transferred to the federal legislator in order to unify the single procedural laws within one Federal Act.

In a judgment dated December 23, 2003, the Swiss Federal Supreme Court clarified the rules governing international mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, and in particular clarified the principle of proportionality which constitutes a limit to the transmission of evidence taken in Switzerland to a Requesting State. SSC decision 23.12.2003, case 1A.223/2003

Last year, the Swiss Money Laundering Office (MROS) received a blatant message from one of its foreign partner organisations: two not-for profit organisations were holders of Swiss bank accounts whereby the beneficial owner of the bank accounts was suspected of terrorist activities.